Seattle elopements are some of my favorite wedding ceremonies to photograph! I love the intimacy and the decision to celebrate such a special moment with a small group of loved ones. Bigger, more traditional weddings are amazing but they aren’t for everyone. Elopements are a great choice for the couple that wants to have a special and personal wedding ceremony but doesn’t want to incur the expense or stress of planning a larger wedding.
As we adjust to the changes that Covid-19 has forced us to make with our daily routines and lives, many couples are adjusting their wedding plans as well. Countless couples have postponed to ensure that their guests can safely attend at a future date. Many other couples have chosen to pivot their plans by holding an intimate ceremony on their original wedding date and postponing the reception and celebration of their marriage until a later date. Both approaches are great, but if a couple has dreamed of getting married on their chosen wedding date for months or years and hates the feeling of giving that up, an elopement is something I’d highly suggest.
Whether you are considering planning an elopement because it’s a great fit for you and your partner or you’re considering changing your original plans to elope now and celebrate later, planning the actual elopement doesn’t have to be stressful.
Here are a few of my top tips for planning your dream intimate elopement in Seattle!
Don’t feel pressured to invite many people to your elopement
I have photographed elopements where I was the only witness and have photographed other elopements with a total guest count of about 10. When considering your dream intimate wedding, who are the most important people to have present to you? Any parents that are able to attend as well as siblings and their partners are most commonly invited. I have worked with couples who have chosen to elope ahead of their scheduled wedding to ensure that an aging or ailing relative can witness the marriage. And on the flip side, I’ve worked with couples who have chosen to make their wedding ceremony truly private with no guests. No matter what you decide, your elopement guest list can vary in size. Just don’t feel pressured to invite many people or allow your guests to bring plus ones if it doesn’t feel right to you. If you want a truly private moment, or just your best friend and one witness, or perhaps your parents and grandparents; the choice is yours.
Keep the popularity of your dream location in mind and plan accordingly
The Seattle area is PACKED with incredible locations to elope. If you love the great outdoors there are state and national parks abound that provide endless options. If you love indoor or moody spaces there are plenty of private locations, old restaurants, observatories, AirBNBs and indoor gardens in the Seattle area to choose from. When you are choosing your location keep in mind that popularity of your site could dictate the ease of having your ceremony. For outdoor locations I recommend planning elopements as early in the day as possible or you may wind up sharing your ceremony space with hikers, picnickers and families. Sunrise or early AM ceremonies allow you to get first crack at your chosen location and avoid the crowds. If you are dreaming of an indoor space, keep in mind that many locations have rules for photo use and require reservations. Seattle’s Volunteer Park Conservatory, for example, only accepts photography bookings after hours and requires a hefty permit fee. Due to its popularity you routinely need to book the space months in advance.
Treat yourself to beautiful bouquets and boutonnieres (and cake!)
When you choose an elopement you are saving yourself potentially tens of thousands of dollars in venue rentals, catering, hair and makeup for an entire wedding party, florals, bar services, and the list goes on. I always say treat yourself to something that’s extra fancy for your elopement and find a florist to create knock out bouquets or boutonnieres for you and your partner. You deserve it! Along the same lines, consider booking your dream cake baker for a small cake that the two of you can enjoy either with your guests or privately at home once the elopement celebration is over.
Book a photographer for your elopement who is willing to help you plan and up for adventure!
I believe I can safely say that almost every photographer I’ve ever met would fall into the “willing to help plan and up for adventure” category, but if you don’t yet have a photographer and are planning an elopement I would highly recommend asking about this. A previous couple I worked with chose to elope at Rattlesnake Lake and hike to the top of Rattlesnake Ledge for portraits. I LOVE the outdoors but don’t hike often enough, however I was more than excited to take on this adventure. On the flip side, I had another couple inquire more recently about their own elopement in the same location and, as I was due with my baby Henry just a few weeks before their scheduled date, I had to turn them down because I didn’t want to deal with the possibility that I wouldn’t be in hiking shape for their wedding. These logistic questions may not sound like a big deal but it’s important to ask your photographer (and any other vendors traveling to work with you) ahead of time.
I can personally say that I am always excited to help plan. Some of the photos on this post are from Erica & Emma’s Colorado elopement and we worked together to find an ideal location, worked out logistics and weather contingency plans together and I advised them on the timeline for the entire day to ensure we had the best lighting possible. Most photographers I know won’t hesitate to help with these types of details, but it’s worth double checking before booking.
Have your entire elopement day photographed, not just the ceremony
I have worked with many couples who are interested in just one or two hours of coverage on their elopement day - just a quick ceremony and some portraits is what they usually say. If your budget allows for it I highly recommend having the entire day photographed! This would include some getting ready photos, traveling to your destination, the ceremony, portraits with your guests and portraits of you and your partner, but also any celebratory events afterwards. Perhaps you plan to do a simple cake cutting or a toast with your guests. Or maybe you’re going to head to a private dinner after your portraits are finished. It’s worth it to have all of these details documented because they are part of an incredibly special and meaningful day. Instead of booking your photographer for just one or two hours, consider booking them for four or five. This will transform your wedding photography collection from just photos of the ceremony and portraits to a full retelling of the story of your wedding day from start to finish. Photographs are some of the only tangible things you can keep from your wedding and in my opinion the added investment is always worth it.
I hope these tips are helpful in planning or thinking about planning your own elopement. I have photographed many elopements over the past few years, including ceremonies in Paris and Colorado, and am always to chat about those experiences and answer any questions. Click the link below to get in touch or browse the related blog posts for more elopement inspiration.
Interested in Seattle elopement photography with Alexandra Knight Photography? My elopement photography package is a popular option for many couples and fits the bill for everything noted above. Elopement photography packages include:
Four hours of continuous photography coverage
Set of 5x7” fine art prints in custom packaging
Personalized online gallery with your images to share with family and friends
Timeline consultation and location planning
Vendor recommendations for your cake & flowers
Travel up to 50 miles from downtown Seattle included
The elopement photography package I offer ensures that the full story of your elopement is documented, leaving out no details or candid moment. The print set allows you to hold something tangible in your hand as you relive your memories. I have many clients that bring out their prints on each anniversary to enjoy looking at the photos again together. I enjoy the opportunity to help my clients plan a personalized, truly unique elopement or intimate wedding and would love the chance to help you plan as well!
Elopement photography package is $1800 plus tax.
